Tilting and dumping body



Jan. 14, 1930.

E. R. BARRETT TILTING AND DUMPING BODY Filed April 27, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet l h rm ou 0 MB e on V Ia w 6 E Jan. 14, 1930. BARRETT 1,743,094

TILTING AND DUMPING BODY Filed April 27, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lnvenTor- 1 Jan. 14, 1930. l R BARRETT 1,743,094

TILTING AND DUMPING BODY Filed April 27, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inuenrov Jan. 14, 1930. E. R. BARRETT TILTING AND DUMPING BODY Filed April 27. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jan. 14, 1930 UNITED STATESIPATENT OFFICE EDWARD R. BARRETT, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, .ASSIGNOR TO WOOD HYDRAULIC HOIST & BODY COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN TILTING AND DUMPING BODY Application filed April 27, 1925. Serial No. 25,979.

This invention relates to tilting dumping bodies for-trucks or other Vehicles and is par ticularly concerned with a novel construction in and relating to tiltably mounted bodies which are designed to be readily moved to dumping position largely ifnot entirely through gravity, that is, the body is mounted so that when in horizontal position and with a load therein, when the body is free to move,

it will normally move to tilted position or at least can be moved to such position with little or no effort.

The invention comprises many novel details of construction and arrangements of I parts and improvements over the construction shown in my pending application for patent, Serial No. 643,190 filed June 4:, 1923.

Among these improvements are a novel latching mechanism for holding the body in lower horizontal position; a novel means mounted back of said latching mechanism which acts to check the movement of the body when it approaches its extreme upward tilting position and stop it without undue strains and jars onx the construction ,and'which, inconreengage with and latch said tail gate as itnection with the latching mechanism, may

be utilized to give the body a strong impulse toward movement to lower horizontal -posi-.

tion after its contents has been dumped thereunlatching the tail gate, to the body asthe ing released and in position to automatically comes to closed position when the body moves back to normal horizontal position.

Theseand many other novel features of construction will appear fully and in detail as understanding of the inventionis had fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings; in which,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinaL vertical section through a vehicle having-a body mounted and latched thereon in accordance with my invention, the body being shown in lower horizontal position. i I Fig. 2 is a likeview illustrating the body in upper tilted and dumping position. I

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse section taken substantially on the plane inner side of'each of said supports and ad v jacent its upper rear corner an integral pin 8 of line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and looking in a for-' ward direction.

Fig. 4 is a plan of the chassis and subframe structure mounted thereon for carrying the body, the bodyexcept for some parts of its lower frame structure being omitted.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a'toggle or, as it is termed stiff-leg construction disposed between the body and the subframe at the front of the body.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken through the same between its ends, and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section through said constructionat a point between its ends.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures of the drawings.

The invention. is designed particularly for use with motor vehicles, though not essentially limited thereto, and in the disclosure made the chassis side frame members 1 back of the drivers seat are utilized to support the dumping body. A subframe is mounted above the chassis frame including cross angle members 2 and 3 which are located directly back of the drivers seat andrails 4, also of' angle formation, which are riveted or otherwisesuitably secured at their front ends to, the rearwardly extending horizontal flange of the ,angle member 3 to lie directly above the chassis, side frame members ,1. Bars 6 lie directly over and against the frame members 1 andthe subframe is located upon said bars, the whole being very rigidly and securely attached to the chassis frame members parent that the particularand specific means,

used for makingthis.attachment may be made widely different .without departing fromthe invention. a

Nearthe rear endlof each bar 4 of the subframe a support 7 is located and secured, the same extending upwardly therefrom; The support is of the form shown and on the is mounted and projects horizontally inward. At the upper front corner each support. is formed with an inwardly extending'horizonvided, it being understood that the support tal ledge 9 and at the outer side of each of said ledges a vertical guide flange 10 is pro- 7 y with its pin 8, ledge 9 and guide 10 are made in an integral casting. A cross bar 11 of angle formation extends between and under the ledges 9 and is permanently connected at its ends thereto, in this manner se curely tying the supports 7 together.

The body may be of any preferred constructionand is shown as having a bottom is mounted on a suitable under-frame eonstruction which includes side members or sills 17 connected at their rear and front ends by cross sills 18 and 19.

At each side of the body between its ends and underneath the same a, member 20 is located and permanently secured in place at a point substantially midway between the front and rear ends of the body, being also connected preferably to the side sills 17 Each member 20 is in the form of a relatively heavy casting and has a downwardly extending portion 21 in which an arcshaped slot 22 is formed. The pins 8 on the supports 7 extend into the slots 22 of the two members 20 carried on the under side of the body. Adjacent the front end and at the under side of each of the said members a flat horizontal seat 23 is made, which-,when

the body is in its lowermost position bears upon theledges 9 and are guided thereon by the vertical guide flanges 10 heretofore described. This seat 23 is made in a relatively shallow recess in the under edge of the downwardly extending. portion 21.

' On the cross member- 3 of the subframe midway between the side members 4 of the said frame a casting is permanently secured, including a base and" uplyvardly extending spaced apart sides 24 w fch are connected at their vupper ends by an integral cross mem-- ber 25'of the form shown. A horizontal rod 26 passes through and has bearing in the two sides 24 of this casting extending outwardly to the endof the member 3 of the siibframe and passing through a suitable bracket 27 attached to the end of said member 3. The rod 26 at its outer end is turned at right angles tomake a'handle28 which extends forwardly and somewhat upwardly alongside the end of the drivers seat so as to be in very convenient position-to be reached by the driver. A latch hook 29 is pinned or .otherwise'suitably secured to the rod 26 between the sides 24 of the casting heretofore described, extending upwardly back of v the part 25 and thence turning forwardly over the same, as best shown in Fig. 2. A coiled spring 30 disposed between the bracket 27 and the handle portion 28 normally has the tendency to move the latch hook forwardly, in which tendency it is aided by the weight of the handle portion 28.

The casting attached to the sub'frame cross member 3 is further formed with two upwardly-extending ears 31 back of the latch hook 29. Between these ears the lower end of a bar 32, forming one element of the socalled stifi'-leg, is pivotally mounted as indicated at 33. This bar in the normal lower position of the truck body extends horizontally to the rear and is formed at its upper side between its ends with a projecting foot 34, while at its rear end it is formed with a somewhat elongated slot 35 and in its under edge a short distance in front of the slot 35 with an elongated recess 36, best shown in Fig. 8. I

On the under side of thebottom 12 of the truck body a fixture or bracket 34 is suitably secured to which the upper ends of thetwo parallelbars 38 are pivotally'connected.

These bars extend to the rear end of the bar 32, passing one on each side thereof." A pivot pin 39 passes through suitable openings in the bars 38 a distance from their ends and through the slot 35 in the bar 32, the pin 39 being held against disengagement by suitable cotter pins which pass through its ends. At the free ends ofthe bars 38 a relatively large .rivet or pin 40 passes. through and is secured to the same -as shown in Fig. 7 a suitable spacing sleeve being located over this rivet betweenthe bars 38 which, in one position of the bars, is received in the recess 36 of bar 32 (see F ig. 8).

Two pins are permanently connected one to each of the bars 38 a short distance above the points where the pivot pin 39, passes therethrough. Said pins extend outwardly and on the projecting end of each ashort arm 42 is loosely mounted. A heavy coiled spring 43 is connected at one end to the free end of each of the arms 42 and at its opposite end to a pin 44 extending through and attached to the bar 32 substantially midway between pivots 33 and 39.

0n the under side of the body at its" front end a fixture 45 is permanently secured which, in the lowermost position of the body, is adapted to come directly over and seat against the connecting part 25 previously described;

It likewise is formed with a ledge 46 which seats against the part 25 so that the latch. hook29 -may' pass. thercover. The hook is downward movement of the body to horizontal position the hook is automatically moved backwardly until the ledge at 46 has passed by whereupon the hook automatically formed with the usual cam edge whereby on moves forward to engage therewith and latch the body against tilting movement when in lower horizontal position.)

As thus constructed it is apparent that when the truck is in lower horizontal position the weight is carried largely, in fact almost wholly, on the ledges 9 of the support 7 and with the body loaded evenly or unloaded the center of gravity is a short distance back of said ledges 9 so that when the latch hook 29 is moved to free the body for tilting movement it will automatically turn on said ledges elevating the forward and depressing the rear end of the body. If the load should not be evenly distributed and the center of gravity should be located farther ahead or directly over the ledge er even slightly in front of the ledge 9 it requires but little effort to start the front end of the body in its upward movement. This movement continues until the slots 22 in the parts 21 have moved to a position such that pins 8 are in the upper ends of the slots, whereupon any further tilting movement will be about the common horizontal axis of these pins. But the body having by this time been elevated at its forward end to a considerable extent and the load having moved downwardly toward the rear end of the body there will be no tendency for the body to return to horizontal position on account of the fact that the axis of the pins 8 about whichit now turnsis located farther back.

As the forward end of the body is elevated the stiff-leg construction, comprising the bars 32 and 38, moves from the position shown in Fig. 1 toward that shown in Fig. 2. Springs 43 being under tension' have a normal tendency to pull the pivot pin 39 and the rivet 40 to the position shown in Fig. 8. With the approach of the body to upper-- most position bars 32 and 38 will come into alignment, as shown in Fig. 2, and the arms 42 and center lines of the springs 43 will be in alignment. With the final upward movement of the upper end of the body and under the momentum of said movement the so-called stiff-leg construction will tend to elongate, that is, the pins 39' and 40 will move along the slot 35 and recess 36 but this movement will be opposed by springs 43 which must be stretched to permit this elongation. There is, accordingly, a shock absorbing function inherent in the springs as assembled with the other parts of the structureand the upward tilting movement of the body will be brought to a stop without undue strains and jars, the stopping being cushioned byreason of the action of the springs.

- It will also be apparent that in their aligned position the bars 32 and 38 are held between spring 43 against backward movement, the line of force of the springs having passed across the pivotal axis of the pin '39 joining tlie two members of the stiff-leg or toggle formed thereby. Andthe body will be held in upper tilted position by reason ofthis construction and insurance had against acci-, dental or otherwise undesired tendency of the body to turn back to or toward horizontal position. This is many times of value, particularly where the character of the road is such that the motor vehicle is not on a level. For instance, if the vehicle is standing on a downward incline there may be a tendency after the load is dumped for the body-to return to horizontal position and the stiff-leg construction insures against this. On the other hand, ifthe vehicle faces or is on an upward incline there may be a strong'tendency for the body to continue its tilting movement which, if it went far enough, might V up-end the entire-motor vehicle; and this also is insured against by the structure described.

After the body has been dumped and it is desired to return it to lower horizontal position it is necessary only for the driver to grasp the handle 28 and pull upwardly 011 the same whereupon the latch hook 29 bears against the foot 34 and moves .the stiff-leg to the rear carrying the line of force of the springs across the axis of the pivot connecting bars 32 and 38. The body in this operation turning about the axis of the pins 8 comes downwardly by gravity until the seats at23 bear against ledges 9. However the springs having been under considerable tension when the latch hook 29 is moved to the rear, said body is given a considerable impetus toward return to its normal position by the springs; and if the position of the truck onv an inclined road is such that the body does not freely return to lower position it is evident i that the handle at 28 may be turned through a wide arc with a consequent bearing of the latch hook 29 against the hook 24 through a wide arc thereby drawing the front end of the body down to a position such that it is easily grasped by the driver and forced down the remaining distance, and this without the necessity of the'driver leaving the vehicle seat.

At the rear end and on the under side of the body a cross shaft 47 is rotatably mounted on which hooks 48 are secured, the hooked ends of which extend beyond the rear end \of the body so as to engage. with the lower edge of the tail gate 15. One of the hooks is provided with a downwardly extending short. arm 48. A rod 49 is-slidably mounted i movements on the ledges occur when the full lever pivotally mounted at 54 on the member 20. Said bell crank lever includes a down wardly and forwardly extending free arm which, when the body is in its horizontal position, is located a short distance below the cross bar 11 disposed between the supports 7. When the body is tilted, during the first portion of its movement the tailgate is held closed but with further movement the end of the free arm 55 of the bell crank lever comes against the cross bar 11 or the adjacent ledge 9 thereby turning the bell crank lever in a counter-clockwise direction and resulting in a longitudinal movement of the rod 49 and compression of the spring 52 thereby rocking the shaft 47 and moving the hooks 48 to inoperative postion. This frees the tail gate so that it may turn ontwardly by gravity and ermit the dumping of the contents carried y the body. ,When the body is returned to horizontal position the free arm 55 of the bell crank lever, when it disengages from the cross bar 11, frees the'spring 52 and thereby rocks shaft 47, bringing the hook members 48 back into position'to be engaged by the lower edge of the' tail gatewhen it comes to closed position, the lower ed e of said gate riding over the upper inclined edges of the hooks and automatically latching therewith as is evient.

The construction described is thoroughly practical and eiiicient and hasso proved in practice. The relatively wideledge at 9 and the bearing surfaces at- 2 3 resting thereon are sufficient to withstand the severe usage and pressure to which they are subjected.

This is particularly necessary as-the weight of the body and its contents is carried. al most wholly on said ledges andxthe tilting 1 weight of the body contents is still carried by the body. The pressure on-the pins 8 is less-and occurs for onlya brief time so that pins of the form shown are sutficient to take care of this. The so-called stiff-leg construction is very effective and secures a great many advantageous results, including the checking of the body movement as it approaches its uppermost position, the holding of the body againsttoo extreme tilting movement and, combined with the latch mechanism, serving tocarry the dumped body back to normal horizontal position or at least give it a strong impulse toward such movement. At the same time the position of the latch mechanism and, particularly, of the operating handle associated therewith is such that the driver of the vehicle may perform all opera- I tions necessary without leaving his seat. All

of these features together with the novel construction used for automatic tail gate latching and unlatehing-combine to make the invention one of particular value and merit.

: scope.

I claim:

1. In combination, a vehicle, a dumping body located above the rear portion of the vehicle directly back of the drivers seat therefor, means for mounting the body on the vehicle for tilting movement from a horizontal to an inclined position and vice versa, a toggle including a member attached at one end to the under side of the body and another member pivotally connected to the vehicle, said members adjacent their inner ends being provided with a pin and slot connection, an arm pivotally mounted on one of, said members and a coiled spring connected to the end of said arm at one end and to the other of said members at its opposite end, substantially as described.

2. In combination, aYvehicle, a dumping body located above the rear portion of the vehicle, means for mounting the body on the vehicle for tilting movement from a horizontal to an inclined position and vice versa, a bar pivotally connected at one end to the vehicle, a pair of bars pivotally connected at their upper ends to the under side of the body and extending toward the first bar to pass one at each side of the first bar, said first bar adjacent its 0 posite end being formed with an elongate slottherein, a pin passing through said slot and through the said pair others a distance from the free ends of said pair of bars, an arm pivotally mounted one on each of said pair of bars, a coiled spring connected at one end to the freeend of each of. said arms and at its opposite end to the first bar at -apoint between its ends, and a pin disposed between and at the freeendsof said pair of bars adapted when all of the bars are in alignment to bear again st the edge of the first bar, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. A construction containing the elements in combination defined in claim 2, said first named bar at its upper edge and between its ends being provided with a projection foot,

a rod mounted horizontally for turning movements in front of said first bar, means for turning said rod, and a member extending upwardly from said rod against which the foot bears when the body is in tilted position and said bars are disposed in alignment a cross bar and two spaced apart rearwardly extending bars attached at their frontends to the cross bar and located one above each side member of the chassis frame, means for connecting the subframe to the chassis frame,

a casting connected to a cross member of the subframe between its ends, a rod rotatably mounted at one end in and extending through said casting, said rod extending outwardly beyond the end of the cross member of the subframe, a bearing for carrying the outer end of the rod, a handle at the outer end of the rod disposed at right angles thereto,-a latch hook connected to the rod adjacent said casting, a body carried by and above the subframenear its rear end-and mounted for tilting movement from a horizontal to an inclined position and vice versa, means connected to the under side and at the front end of said body adapted in lower position to rest on the upper end of said casting and be engaged by said latch hook to latch the body against tilting movement, the handle of said rod extending forward alongside the end of the drivers seat of the vehicle, a toggle construction pivotally connected at one end to said casting and at its other end to said body including two members pivotally and slid- "ably connected togetherat their adjacent ends, spring means disposed between the members of the toggle, said means being stretched on sliding movement of one of the members of the toggle with respect 'to the other in one direction, thereby serving to yieldingly check upward tilting movement of the body, said spring means also, when said toggle members are inalignment and the body is tilted, having their line of force carried v across the pivotal axis of the pivot joining said members and thereby holding the body against return to horizontal position, the lowermost of said members of the toggle, when the body is in tilted position lying-directly back of the latch hook whereby it may be operated by movement of said latch hook on manually turning the rod to which the hook I is connected to free the body to return to lower position. v

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EDWARD R. BARRETT. 

